Why do professional athletes get so much these days?

I’m not talking about all sports or there sponsorship deals I’m talking about sports like football, basketball and baseball where players can get like 30 or 40 mil a year! What happened to playing for the love of the game? Why can’t they be happy with 1 million or under? There are neurosurgeons for example and many other far more important people getting NO WHERE near this. Whats your opinion on this?
At least Celebrities and musicians are somewhat creative and in my opinion deserve there income.

They make lots of money because the owners have more money than brains.
Many owners are megalomaniacs with no true sense for business. They will pay anything to win a championship, which is why leagues had to have salary caps to protect the owners from themselves.